May, 1903. The Arapaho Sun Dance — Dorsey. 13 



two resembling the conventionalized Thunderbird. These designs 

 are similar to those found on gaming wheels, used by the Arapaho and 

 other Plains tribes. Attached by means of short buckskin thongs are 

 also four complete sets of the tail feathers of an eagle. The spacing 

 of these feathers is not now uniform, but according to Hdwkan, they 

 should have been grouped in equal numbers near the four incised mark- 

 ings on the Wheel. As an eagle tail has twelve feathers, there would thus 

 be, in all, forty-eight feathers on the Wheel. At times, however, the 

 Wheel does not possess such a large number of eagle tail feathers, but 

 a single tail is divided into four, and there are thus three feathers for 

 each marking. It may be noticed in Plate XCVII., where the Wheel 

 is being used by the Lodge-Maker of the ceremony, that the feathers 

 seem to be confined to the lower side of the Wheel. This is due to 

 the fact that they have settled down, owing to the shaking of the 

 Wheel in the hands of the Lodge-Maker. The feathers on the Wheel 

 at the present time number twenty-four, there being, thus, two eagle 

 tails represented with six feathers to each marking. The inside of the 

 Wheel is painted red, while the outer periphery is stained black. 



SYMBOLISM OF THE WHEEL. 



Concerning the symbolism of the Wheel a considerable amount of 

 information was obtained, which, however, may not be regarded as 

 complete, or as entirely satisfactory. According to Hawkan and one 

 or two other authorities, the disc itself represents the sun, while the 

 actual band of wood represents a tiny water-snake, called "henigS," 

 and which is said to be found in rivers, in lakes, near ponds, and in 

 buffalo-wallows. Later in the ceremony, this lake or pool of sweet 

 water is represented, while near by on a forked stick, is the owner of 

 the pool, a little bird. Then it is that Young-Bull drinks of the water. 



This serpent is said to be the most harmless of all snakes. The 

 Wheel thus, representing this snake, has a derived meaning, and 

 represents the water which surrounds the earth. The additional idea 

 was also put forth that while the Wheel represents a harmless snake, 

 all snakes are powerful to charm, and hence the Wheel is a sign of 

 gentleness and meekness. The blue beads around the neck of the 

 snake represent the sky or the heavens, which are clean and without 

 blemish ; the color blue among the Arapaho is also typical of friendship. 



THE FOUR-OLD-MEN. 



The four inside markings (hltanni) on the Wheel represent the 

 Four-Old-Men who are frequently addressed during the ceremony, and 



